After residents protested the size and location of a proposed industrial growth zone, the city council voted to adopt an amended version of the plan.
Fort Worth community advocates won some significant changes to the city’s 2023 Comprehensive Plan, which groups like the Fort Wort Environmental Coalition of Communities said permitted too much industrial and commercial development in the city’s southeast sector.
According to an NBC Dallas article by Keenan Willard, “The updated plan cuts more than 100 acres off a new industrial development area in the Echo Heights neighborhood, where activists say existing heavy industry has caused decades of health problems for residents.”
As Willard explains, “The proposed plan called for a 671-acre Industrial Growth Center to be zoned in Echo Heights, including a massive plot of open land directly across from W.M. Green Elementary School.” The revised plan zones the land across from the elementary school for residential uses.
Fort Worth mayor Mattie Parker praised the move, saying, “This may be imperfect, but I think we’ve taken some important steps forward.”
FULL STORY: Fort Worth scales back plans for industrial zone in Echo Heights after health concerns from community
Where Redlining and Oil and Gas Drilling Intersect
Research shows neighborhoods historically redlined by the federal government have twice as many oil and gas extraction projects as “desirable” neighborhoods.
Dallas Neighborhoods Fight Toxic Zoning
Communities in south and west Dallas are working to introduce zoning reform that would reduce industrial pollution and hold companies accountable for their impacts on surrounding neighborhoods.
Pollution Does Discriminate in Orlando’s Parramore Neighborhood
Poor air quality has decimated the health of residents in this predominantly black community ringed by highways.
Eugene Ends Parking Minimums
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San Diegans at Odds Over ‘Granny Towers’
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Palo Alto Expands Church ‘Safe Parking’ Program
The city is considering adding commercial lots to the program, which provides safe parking and amenities for people living in cars.
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Park City Municipal Corporation
National Capital Planning Commission
City of Santa Fe, New Mexico
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This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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